Free Clergy Learning Series: 'God Is Imperfect . . . And So Are We!'

By DIANA DREW

May 5, 2019 at 8:04 PM

Content Options

Rabbi Mark BillerRabbi Mark Biller

By DIANA DREW

May 5, 2019 at 8:04 PM

Rabbi Mark Biller, spiritual leader of Temple Gates of Prayer in Queens, New York, will lead an insightful three-part series, called “God Is Imperfect . . . and So Are We!” The series, which is free and open to the public, will be held at noon on Tuesdays, June 4, 11 and 18, at the Morris County Library, 30 E. Hanover Ave., in Whippany.

Rabbi Biller’s series is sponsored by National Council of Jewish Women, West Morris Section and coordinated by the organization's Our Jewish World program. Our Jewish World is co-chaired by Ilene Dorf Manahan and Melanie Levitan, both of Morristown.

The rabbi concedes that "That's a shocking title coming from a rabbi. But all is not as we were taught as children in the Book of Genesis . . . or in the world."

Rabbi Biller points out that "The Kabbalists (Jewish mystics) tell us that we study God to learn about how we should be. If God is just, we should be just; if God is charitable, we should be charitable, too.

"But what are we to make, exactly, of this God of Creation? Things seem to keep going wrong--with Adam and Eve, in the Garden of Eden, with the first brothers, with the coming of the Flood, and more. Can this be the work of an All-Knowing, Perfect God? And what do these seemingly successive failures mean to us, living out contemporary bent-on-perfection lifestyles?"

Join Rabbi Biller to examine Genesis's portrayal of God, and look into what lessons might be waiting for us in our must-do, must-be, stress-filled culture.

Rabbi Biller specializes in the art of storytelling, and counseling Jews of all ritual levels looking to find meaning in both modern life and rich Jewish traditions. The spiritual leader of synagogues in his native Canada, as well as in Alabama, New York and New Jersey, the rabbi received rabbinic ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary. He also studied BiblioDrama with Peter Pitzele at the Union Theological Seminary, and completed a two-year Spiritual Direction course at Elat Chayyim, designed to help participants teach others how to identify and follow their own spiritual paths.

NCJW confronts today’s most urgent social and economic challenges facing women, children, and families. Powered by the Jewish imperative to ensure dignity for all, we impact policy, advocate for justice, and support the community. Each voice has never been more essential and our voices together make a meaningful difference in the world.

MORRIS TOWNSHIP, NJ - The Sunrise Beach Club will officially open Saturday May 25. Sunrise Lake Beach Club is open Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day, May 25 to September 2. Weekend hours are 11 a.m. through 6:30 p.m. and weekday hours, Tuesday through Friday, are 10 a.m. through 5:30 p.m.

Spend the day at the beach, and enjoy fun activities such as swimming, boating, fishing, and ...

Atlantic Health System is proud to announce it has once again been chosen for the list of Becker’s Healthcare’s 150 Top Places to Work in Healthcare. This is the fourth year in a row that Atlantic Health System has been selected for inclusion in this elite group of health care systems, biotech and pharmaceutical companies.

2019 has been another year of recognition and celebration for Atlantic ...

Atlantic Health System is proud to announce it has once again been chosen for the list of Becker’s ...

NEWTON, NJ – Morristown High School joins a growing list of students, businesses and organizations in three counties that participated in Newton Strong Day on Thursday, May 23. On Newton Strong Day participants will wear white to honor Alexis "Lexi" Faye, a Newton High School junior who died from a post-prom car accident on Saturday, May 11, that also critically injured three of Faye's friends, ...

NEWTON, NJ – Morristown High School joins a growing list of students, businesses and organizations ...

MORRISTOWN, NJ - Three Morristown residents have been earned academic honors at area colleges and universities.

Kristina Qualben has been named to Muhlenberg's Academic Honor Roll. ixty-seven Muhlenberg College student-athletes were recognized for their performance in the classroom and on the field, court, track and course with their selection to the Centennial Conference Academic Honor Roll ...

MORRISTOWN, NJ - Three Morristown residents have been earned academic honors at area colleges and ...

By
BETTY A. GARGER, PRESIDENT/CEO OF GIRL SCOUTS OF NORTHERN NEW JERSEY

May 23, 2019

Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey recently elected its new board of directors for 2019-2020 program year. Part of the election process was the selection of three girl representatives to the board of directors.

I am often asked by girls, parents and volunteers to explain the girls’ roles as representatives to the board. Simply put, these young women serve as the voice of our girl members and ...

Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey recently elected its new board of directors for 2019-2020 ...